Moving to Panama
4 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
Keep your job, work remotely
Panama digital nomad visa
Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto (Decreto Ejecutivo 198 de 2021)
Remote employees or freelancers earning at least USD 36,000 a year (USD 3,000 a month) from outside Panama.
- What you need
- Foreign-source income of at least USD 36,000 a year, shown with bank certifications and an employer letter or proof of own business. (USD 36,000 a year)
- Health insurance valid in Panama for the stay (secondary sources).
- Work must have effect outside Panama.
- Not for
- Anyone working for Panamanian clients or employers
- People seeking residence (this is a non-resident stay)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. SNM in Panama.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- 9 months.
- Renewal
- One extension of 9 months (18 months total); the extension fee is waived per the SNM PDF.
- Family
- Dependants can be included (details not read).
Retire or live on savings
Panama pensionado visa
Residente Permanente como Jubilado o Pensionado (Decreto Ejecutivo 320 de 2008, Art. 200)
Retirees with a lifetime pension of at least USD 1,000 a month (plus USD 250 per dependant).
- What you need
- Lifetime monthly pension or annuity of at least B/. 1,000 (balboa = US dollar). (USD 1,000 a month)
- B/. 250 more a month per dependant, shown by additional pension or a local bank reference. (USD 250 a month)
- A reduced USD 750 pension with Panamanian property worth USD 100,000 or more is reported by law firms but was not found in the official text.
- Not for
- People without a lifetime pension
- Anyone wanting to work in Panama (pensionado status does not include work rights)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. SNM in Panama through a lawyer.
- How long it takes
- Not officially stated.
- First permit
- Permanent residence (after a provisional card).
- Renewal
- Not applicable once permanent.
- Family
- Dependants allowed with B/. 250 a month extra each.
Invest
Panama golden visa
Residente Permanente en calidad de Inversionista Calificado (Decreto Ejecutivo 17 de 2026)
Investors putting at least USD 300,000 into new Panamanian property, or USD 500,000 into resale property, securities or a state-bank deposit, who want permanent residence straight away.
- What you need
- New, first-sale real estate (including off-plan for up to 3 years) of at least B/. 300,000. (USD 300,000)
- Resale real estate of at least B/. 500,000. (USD 500,000)
- Securities through a licensed broker of at least B/. 500,000. (USD 500,000)
- Fixed-term deposit of B/. 500,000 at Banco Nacional or Caja de Ahorros, or B/. 750,000 at a private bank. (USD 500,000)
- Keep the investment for 5 years and prove it each year through a Panamanian lawyer.
- Not for
- Investors who need liquidity within 5 years
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. MICI issues an investment certificate, then SNM decides on residence.
- How long it takes
- MICI 15 business days for the certificate; SNM 30 business days after a complete file.
- First permit
- Permanent residence.
- Renewal
- Annual proof that the investment is kept for 5 years.
- Longer term
- 0Citizenship after about 5 years.
- Family
- Dependants allowed (details not read).
Treaties and special cases
Panama Friendly Nations visa
Residente Permanente en calidad de nacional de Paises Amigos (Decreto Ejecutivo 416 de 2012, modificado por DE 197 y 226 de 2021 y DE 16 de 2026)
US, Canadian and UK citizens with a Panamanian job offer, or USD 200,000 in Panamanian property or a 3-year bank deposit.
- What you need
- Must be a national of a listed country; the list in force from Decree 16 of 31 Aug 2026 names the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States among about 50 countries.
- Real estate in your own name worth more than USD 200,000 (bank financing allowed), shown by a Public Registry certificate. (USD 200,000)
- Or a fixed-term deposit of USD 200,000 in a Panamanian bank for 3 years (secondary sources). (USD 200,000)
- Or a job offer from a Panamanian employer with the employer's registry certificate, operating notice and commitment to process the work permit. Status does not exempt you from getting a MITRADEL work permit.
- Apostilled criminal record from country of origin (secondary sources).
- Not for
- Nationals of countries not on the list
- Anyone expecting immediate permanent status (2-year provisional phase since 2021)
- Where you apply
- From inside the country. Filed in Panama with the Servicio Nacional de Migracion (SNM) through a Panamanian lawyer.
- How long it takes
- 2 to 4 months reported (secondary).
- First permit
- Provisional residence for 2 years.
- Renewal
- After 2 years, apply for permanent residence meeting the same requirements as at the start (Decree 226 of 2021).
- Longer term
- Permanent residence after about 2 years. Citizenship after about 7 years.
- Family
- Dependants can be included (details not read).